Understanding which UAS systems to acquire and how to deploy them across all three services was a challenge that the Australian Defence Force accepted at an early stage.
The acquisition of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in the Asia-Pacific region varies depending on national budgets and requirements for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) across each service branch.
Countries with large maritime areas and healthy budgets can opt for more expensive Group 3 and 4 Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) and High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) systems while the rest mainly use smaller UAS in Groups 1 or 2 that are short-range tactical UAS.
In the region, Australia has taking a leading role in developing UAS capabilities with the procurement of new platforms for all three services that will dramatically enhance the country’s ISR capabilities over the next decade. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) intends to start operating its first MQ 4C Triton from 2023 with additional platforms entering service in 2024-25. There are orders for two aircraft under a US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement with the US Air Force (USAF) that will be built by Northrop Grumman, with plans for a total of six or seven to be purchased over time.
Australia has a considerably large land mass and maritime exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to monitor and with a range in excess of 8,000 nautical miles and endurance of 24 hours the Triton UAS seem to fit RAAF requirements. They will operate alongside the new P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft that are being delivered by Boeing.
Denne historien er fra August/September 2019-utgaven av Asian Military Review.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August/September 2019-utgaven av Asian Military Review.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
SMART MUNITIONS INCREASE MARKET SHARE
Top attack munitions are now widely developed for different artillery calibers with varied ranges.
NEXT GEN NVGS - A CLEAR IMPROVEMENT
Fused and enhanced night-vision technology will make the difference to soldiers fighting at night.
MILITARY ROTORCRAFT DEVELOPMENT - NO MORE ‘STOVEPIPES'
New rotorcraft are going to come with new abilities founded on open systems that provide easier upgrade paths and cheaper through life costs.
INDO PACIFIC UAV DIRECTORY 2021
The development of unmanned aerial vehicles is growing apace, especially in China. New longer range ISR platforms are also on the procurement list of several nations.
TIME TO RESET TRILATERAL RELATIONS
United States President Joe Biden has made it a top priority of his Administration to repair and re-energize global alliances during its first year in power. This is a necessary strategic and political calculus made in light of growing global security, public health, and environmental challenges that will require cooperation and multilateral contributions. President Trump’s ‘America first’ policy did much to undermine confidence in such relationships over his time in office.
SOCPAC KEEN TO SHARE JOINT DOCTRINE AND TRAINING
The return of Great Power competition means that US SOCPAC is more than ever seeking joint training opportunities with regional special forces.
MARINE ENGINE POWER - NOT JUST ABOUT KNOTS
Navies not only want more engine power, there are also coming under increasing pressure to become environmentally conscious.
AMPHIBIOUS FORCES
New amphibious concepts are re-shaping marine forces to break the A2AD defensive line.
SPACE V AIRBORNE ISR OR MIX AND MATCH
Owning satellite based ISR for military use is still an exclusive ‘club’, but airborne ISR still provides that most countries need.
SHIPBUILDING - A NUMBERS GAME
While experience grows among Indo-Pacific naval designers, order numbers remain crucial to keeping costs down and yards in business.
